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Look at the dark clouds: it is not raining yet. What do you think will happen next? Use what you see as clues for your prediction.

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Lesson notes · ≈ JLPT N4 · Beginner 3

〜そうです~sou desu

prediction from signs

Use verb or adjective 〜そうです to predict what seems likely from current signs.

How it works

Look at the dark clouds: it is not raining yet. What do you think will happen next? Use what you see as clues for your prediction.
「そうです」expresses a prediction about what may happen next, based on the current situation or appearance.
「雨が降りそうです」is a prediction. It has not started raining, and the speaker is not saying it definitely will.
Remove 「ます」from the verb and add 「そうです」: 降ります→降りそうです.
「明日は雨が降りそうです」predicts tomorrow’s weather. A prediction can refer to more than just the next moment.

On hearing that it may rain, you take an umbrella. 「傘を持っていきます」expresses a preparation made based on that prediction.

「予約が取りにくそうです」means it looks hard to make a reservation. It is not yet a result from actually trying to book.

Remove the final 「い」from 「取りにくい」and add 「そうです」: 取りにくそうです.

Notice the difference: 「降りそうです」is a prediction based on signs; 「降るそうです」reports information you have heard.

明日あすasuはわwa雨あめameがga降りふりfuriそうです。そうですsoudesu
It looks like it will rain tomorrow.
予約よやくyoyakuがga取りにくとりにくtorinikuそうです。そうですsoudesu
It seems hard to make a reservation.

Level 1 · Recognise
Which sentence is correct?
Level 1 · Recognise
Listen and choose the meaning
Level 2 · Build
Put the words in order
The travel insurance looks expensive.
Level 3 · Use
What goes in the blank?
明日は雨がです。
It looks like it will rain tomorrow.